An Artists Medium: Copper a Living Metal

Blog Post 2: The Medium, Copper a Living Metal

Welcome! I hope you enjoy my second post in the series: From Concept to Creation: A Deep Dive into the Artist-Client Commission Journey.

What is it about copper that draws me in? Is it the material’s physical properties (texture, color, malleability) or its deeper, symbolic meanings? The following personal story or anecdote might make the post even more engaging and hopefully the following will explian why, as a visual artist, I use Copper as one of my main art mediums:

• Copper: The Living Art Medium

• Copper: A Living Metal

Copper is often referred to as a "living metal" because it undergoes visible transformations as it reacts with its environment. Unlike many other art materials that remain static, copper evolves, taking on new hues and textures.

• Patina: The Beauty of Change

• Malleability: Shaping Creativity

• My Techniques and Applications

I employ a range of techniques to shape the material into its final form, including:

Annealing: This process involves repeatedly heating the copper to increase its pliability, allowing it to be shaped as desired.

Repoussé and Chasing: Techniques involving hammering from the reverse side and detailing from the front side to create raised designs. (see the sample images below)
These methods enable me to produce a wide range of works, from delicate jewellery to large-scale sculptures, each showcasing the metal’s adaptability and resilience.

• The Cost Factor

• Value vs. Investment

• The Alchemy of Colour

Copper’s color-changing capability extends beyond just developing a patina. I continually experiment to manipulate the metal, achieving specific hues through diverse treatments and finishes.

• Colour Treatments

Thermal Patination: Applying heat to the copper surface to bring out different colours, ranging from reds and oranges to deep purples, and even yellows.

Solution Patination: Using solutions like ammonia or vinegar to accelerate the patina process and achieve desired hues, again time and experimentation.

Electroplating: Coating the copper with other metals to introduce new colors and effects.
These techniques allow for a high degree of control over the final appearance, which gives me the freedom to experiment and innovate with their colour palettes.

• Conclusion

Copper’s unique properties make it a dynamic and compelling medium. Its malleability allows for intricate and diverse creations, while its high cost underscores the value and investment in the material. Most notably, copper’s ability to change colour over time adds an element of living art, where the piece evolves and gains character as it ages. For myself seeking a medium that offers both flexibility and a rich, evolving aesthetic, copper remains an unparalleled choice for me

By understanding and embracing the transformative nature of copper, I can create works that are not only visually stunning but also imbued with a sense of life and progression. Whether through the subtle changes of a developing patina or the bold application of heat and solutions, copper continues to inspire and challenge me, proving that it is indeed a living metal.

I believe that for any artist or craftmaker, understanding and respecting their chosen mediums is essential to creating exceptional artworks.

Given the considerations outlined above, it became evident during the creation of the commission brief that the standard metalforming techniques I typically employ were not suitable for this large-scale project. Consequently, it was necessary to develop a new process, which, as with any innovative endeavor, required thorough research and experimentation.

In the upcoming blog of this series, I will concentrate on the actual commission, detailing the new process and the necessary collaboration with another artist.

Thanks for reading! I hope you found it interesting.

Richard

A sample of two metal working techniques that I used to create the Celtic design as shown.

Repoussé, also referred to as repoussage, is a metalworking technique in which a pliable metal is shaped by hammering from the reverse side to form a design in low relief.

Chasing, also known as embossing, is a complementary method where the metal is hammered on the front side, causing it to indent. These two techniques are frequently employed in conjunction to achieve intricate designs.

This copper bowl, showcased here, was meticulously crafted by hand using a variety of metalworking tools. The application of a deep patina not only enriches the surface but also imparts a dynamic quality, suggesting both vitality and motion.